FSB Cyber Resilience Report 2016

Sam Holiday of the FSB and Forum member has asked us to make this report available for the benifit of members.

Sam Holiday Development Manager

Gloucestershire & West of England Federation of Small Businesses

T 01452 506505 M 07917 628915

@FSBGlosandWoE

www.fsb.org.uk

Here is a small item from the report byMartin McTaguePolicy Director

Introduction

Over the last couple of decades the economy has shifted towards one that relies on a complex digitalcommunications infrastructure. This offers tremendous opportunities for smaller businesses. Thedigital economy information age began with personal computing, mobile telephony, the internet andemail. It’s now moved even further with cloud computing, smart devices – such as tablets and smartphones – and social media. These innovations have helped businesses to reduce costs, increasetheir efficiency and widen their market reach. The nascent internet of things is going to generateeven further opportunities.

However, these benefits have brought with them a wide range of risks for smaller businesses. Butnot only small businesses. There are equally significant risks for the whole digital communicationsinfrastructure. In a highly interconnected economy a risk for one is a risk for all. The biggest riskcomes from the threat of cyber criminality. The latter is a rapidly evolving threat and is in danger ofbecoming ubiquitous in the digital world.

Recent research by FSB – highlighted in this report – found disturbingly high levels of cyber crimeagainst smaller businesses. Action is needed to improve the cyber resilience of small businesses andthe wider economy through:• Improving the protection levels of the small business community, commercial supply-chains andthe digital information networks on which the economy relies.• Better enabling those impacted by a cyber attack to withstand its effects and prosper againafterwards.• Improving the law enforcement response to cyber criminality in the longer term.

Successive Governments, from a standing start less than a decade ago have made considerableprogress in increasing the cyber resilience of the UK. However, there is more that can and should bedone. The key change that needs to take place is a greater sharing of the burden of cyber resilienceacross business (large – especially those providing the technological and economic infrastructure– and small), Government and individuals. Currently, the burden is not borne by those best able tobear it. Those with the most resources (financial, labour and time) and knowledge at their disposal,are best placed to take the most effective action to reduce the cyber risks, which small businessesand the economy face.

This report looks at the scale and scope of cyber crime against small business and how the burdenof resilience might be more effectively shared among those with an interest in a successful economy